Tamim Iqbal doubtful for tri-series next month

Bangladesh maybe without Tamim Iqbal in the tri-series in January after the star opener ignored medical advice and continued playing with a fractured hand, the board said today.

Tamim suffered a hairline fracture on his left hand while batting against Zimbabwe in an ODI in Chittagong on November 5 and he was advised rest for a month.

"Despite these clear verbal and written instructions, for unclear reasons Tamim had tried batting on a number of occasions, both before and after he was diagnosed with a fracture," the BCB said in a statement.

Apart from the hosts, the tri-series also features India and Sri Lanka.

"After that every time (he batted), he complained of increased pain, swelling, and inability to adequately grip the bat, let alone bat with comfort or competence.

"This aggravation and re-injury will delay Tamim's recovery, and could give him long term issues with the wrist.

As such, there is now some doubt as to his ability to return to fitness by the next international duties in early January," the BCB statement added.

The triangular series starts on January 4 in Mirpur, and will be followed by Bangladesh taking on India in a two-Test series.

The 20-year-old Tamim has scored 1864 runs in 66 one-dayers at an average of 28.24.